| Sign in: |
| Members log in here with your user name and password to access the your admin page and other special features. |
|
|
|
|
|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
Canon 30D and 300 2.8 IS combo
Peter Gaby, Photographer
 |
Madison | WI | US | Posted: 11:34 PM on 10.22.06 |
->> I'm updating equipment soon and was wondering if anyone is currently shooting this combo.
My main concentration is Motorsports, but I have also done some field sports recently.
if you are using this combo - what are your impressions and what advice would you give as well.
Thanks
Pete |
|
Chad McCan, Photographer
|
Kansas City | MO | USA | Posted: 9:58 AM on 10.23.06 |
| ->> I don't use it currently, but I did a few times. It works just as great as you would expect. It's fast and accurate. No issues from mine. I now own the Sigma 120-300 and love it too. |
|
Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
|
Palm Desert | CA | USA | Posted: 11:52 AM on 10.23.06 |
| ->> You should be very happy with this set up. If you don't already own one, the 1.4x teleconverter is really nice, but don't get the 2x converter, it's too soft for my taste. |
|
Dave Pawlak, Photographer
|
Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 3:26 PM on 10.23.06 |
->> Pete,
I'm not sure what you are upgrading from, but I use a 30D and 300 f2.8 IS for all kinds of photogrraphy. Primarily surfing and freestyle motocross. It's a great set-up.
I also use my 300 f2.8 with a 1D (classic) and it's great. If I were you, I would save a bit more money and look for a used 1DMKII. They can be had for around $2000, which is a few hundred more than a new 30D. |
|
Jim Leary, Photographer
|
Island | NY | USA | Posted: 4:17 PM on 10.23.06 |
->> Dave,
You seem to have had experience with a wide variety of Canon equipment. I'm not so much interested in the 300 2.8 with anything as I am in whether or not I should pick up a new 30D in the near future or or a used Mark II a little later when I can raise the extra cash. I'll be using it for a wide variety of subjects outside of sports but it will have its share of usage for sports as well. The 30D seems so impressive with the quality of photos it puts out but my understanding is that the auto-focus is just not fast enough for most sports. Do you find this to be true and also, where can one pick up a relaible used Mark II for $2,000? I've seen the prices dropping but have yet to see it that low. Thanks for your time. |
|
Peter Gaby, Photographer
|
Madison | WI | US | Posted: 4:44 PM on 10.23.06 |
->> Thanks all for the input.
I'm upgrading from 2 10D's - i'd like to go with a Mk 2 or Mk 2N, but right now I can't afford it or really justify it for the amount of work i'm getting while freelancing.
i'm getting a fairly good deal on the 30D, so i'm leaning towards that route.
I was really more concerned with how good the quality of the 300 2.8 IS is paired with the 30D
Thanks
Pete |
|
Rick Rowell, Photographer
|
Canoga Park | CA | Usa | Posted: 4:54 PM on 10.23.06 |
| ->> The focusing is not as fast on the 30D as it is with the 1D mark 2. That being the case I've had little trouble with focusing using the 30D with the 300mm f2.8 IS lens eccept in low light. If you can wait then buy the 1D mark 2, their is a noticable deference in focusing speed, espeicially in low light. 1D mark 2 refurbished units with a 6 month warranty from Canon will cost around 2800.00. I just bought one about four weeks ago and it works great. Used units can be from about 2200.00 to 2800.00 depending on condition, but no factory warranty. |
|
Dave Pawlak, Photographer
|
Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 5:34 PM on 10.23.06 |
->> Jim,
I've only really ever shot Canon or Mamiya when I dabbled in medium format. Basically, your post is why I picked up the 1D. I first bought a 30D and loved it, but missed the pro body feel/durability I had with my previous film equipment (EOS 1V and 3). I had also heard about the auto focus tracking and didn't beleive it at first.
I found a great deal on a used 1DMKI and figured I'd give it a shot. If nothing else, I could get an underwater housing for it and I have a new surf camera :)
I think the f.p.s. and auto focus are the two big pluses of the 1D vs. the 30D. The 1D's 8 f.p.s. may not be much more over the 30D's 5 f.p.s., but I personally like the way the sequences fill out with 8 vs. 5.
As far as finding one for $2,000. Deals can be had if you search high and low. I have seen a couple go on other forums/marketplaces for $2000 and $2050. They had about 50,000 actuations or more. I guess it would have been more appropriate to say it can be had for in the $2000 range. Rick is right, I suppose the majority I have seen are going for about $2200 and up.
If I were to do it again, I would sell the 30D and 1D to pick up a 1DMKII or 1DMKIIN. Then save and pick up another body later on.
Peter,
The 300 2.8 IS, is a good match for any camera :) It's really good with the 30D and I was very impressed with the results. One other poster said not to use a 2x TC due to softness. I honestly, think that's a choice you'll have to make. I've used my 2x TC on it without much loss of color, contrast, or sharpness. Now, I'd rather use the 1.4x than the 2x, but the 2x will work too.
There are news agencies out there, magazines too, that are using the 300 2.8 IS with 10D's (though not so much anymore) and 20D's. The 30D is the newest, with the exception of the new Rebel, body on the market and is touted as an "upgrade" to the 20D. |
|
Nick Wright, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Independence | KS | USA | Posted: 10:19 PM on 10.23.06 |
->> I second the opinion to go for the "pro" body.
Last year I went out and purchased a new kit for myself because I went from a paper that supplied gear to one that expected me to have my own.
Being on a budget I didn't have enough to get a 1D and L series lenses. And the L lenses were big on my list. So I purchased a 10D, my reasoning being that it was newer than the 1D so the photos would look better.
Just recently I was able to purchase a used 1D (mk1), and it makes me wish I'd gotten less expensive lenses to begin with and gotten the 1D instead.
I've used the 10D for a year now, and also a 20D when I borrowed one from CPS. Even though those two cameras are newer -- and look better at 1600-3200iso -- I won't buy another one. The images from the "old" 1D are generally crisper and look better than from the 10-20D.
With the money that you'd spend on a 300/2.8IS you can easily get one of the 1D models, and then a 300/4 which is an extraordinary lens. The 2.8 is nice, but unless you shoot a lot at night you don't need it; and the f/4 is just as sharp. |
|
Peter Gaby, Photographer
|
Madison | WI | US | Posted: 12:03 AM on 10.24.06 |
->> Thanks again to everyone that has responded.
It looks like the pairing that I will be going with on this round will be the 30D and the 300 2.8 IS
I've got offers in right now with 2 people, and hope to finalize the deals by the weekend.
I'm still looking into the 1D cameras if anyone knows of any that are available.
It looks like i'll be adding some additional coverage in Hockey and Volleyball this year, so I think this combo might be pretty good for me.
Pete |
|
Jim Leary, Photographer
|
Island | NY | USA | Posted: 12:16 AM on 10.24.06 |
->> "Even though those two cameras are newer -- and look better at 1600-3200iso -- I won't buy another one. The images from the "old" 1D are generally crisper and look better than from the 10-20D."
Nick,
I find your comment interesting about crispness. What were you photographing with the cameras that led you to say this? Was it sports? The reason I ask is because although I do plenty of sports I also shoot concerts and I've heard that the 20D or 30D has much less noise and is quite crisp at 800 and even 1600 ASA for non-sports photography. A low noise, crisp option for concerts is valuable to me and the price seems right too. When the time comes for me to buy another body I am certainly going to try for the 1D Mark II but I am also considering putting that purchase off for a bit to pick up the 30D first. Then, a year or so down the line I'm thinking a used Mark II could be going for under $2,000 which will be affordable for me in late 2007/early 2008. In the meantime I get the 30D which serves my non-sports shoots very well while it is still a good backup for sports and my never-say-die 1D original model.
Not sure yet and am still listening to and appreciate the opinions of others. I'll probably make the final determination by the first of the year. |
|
Dave Pawlak, Photographer
|
Soquel | Ca | USA | Posted: 1:02 AM on 10.24.06 |
->> If you need the camera now go for the 30D. The high ISO performance is MUCH better than the equivalent ISO settings on my 1D. The frame rate is slower, but in concert photography I am not thinking you'll be doing sequences very often. The AF is fast, but maybe just a hair slower than the 1D. The low-light performance is good and just as good as my 1D - hunting and focus issues seem to be glass related not body related to me.
The 30D is a great camera. I just know my preference would be to try and get a used 1DMKII. I think with what ever show is coming up, PMA?, the "other Photokina" that rolls around in February I think it is. I bet the price of the 1DMKII will be dropping. It'll be about time for Canon to update and throw another model out there. |
|
Nick Wright, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Independence | KS | USA | Posted: 9:57 AM on 10.24.06 |
->> Jim,
I've come to this conclusion in just about every type of photography that I do. From general news, to sports, to a model talent competition that I shot last night. The images appear crisper/sharper from my 1D than from my 10D. The 1D seems to record/retain more of the fine detail than the 10D.
Now keep in mind that the high ISO shots from the 1D (mk1) are much much noisier than from the 10D. But I'd rather have a little noise than shots that just look so soft!
I thought I'd be happy with with the 10/20/30D line, but now it's 1 series cameras all the way for me. I can't wait till I can afford a 1Dmk2(or n), assuming that the photos look as sharp and crisp as they do from my Mk1 and assuming that the high ISO performance is on par with the 20/30D cameras. But until then, I am more than happy with my Mk1 and will hopefully be adding a second soon. |
|
Seh Suan Ngoh, Photographer
|
Singapore | SG | Singapore | Posted: 1:32 PM on 10.24.06 |
| ->> As for the crispness issue, I'll wager a guess to say it's because of the higher-precision AF system that the 1D has over the 10/20/30D. |
|
Nick Wright, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Independence | KS | USA | Posted: 3:27 PM on 10.24.06 |
| ->> You might think so, but it shows in stationary subjects as well. |
|
Todd Kirkland, Photographer
|
Dallas (Atlanta) | GA | USA | Posted: 3:56 PM on 10.24.06 |
| ->> One thing to keep in mind here.. Nick is referring to his 10D and not a 20D/30D. There was a big step up with the 20D over the 10D IMO. I never liked or owned a 10D but I did buy a 20D and liked it when all is kept in perspective. I used it with a 300 2.8 IS and it produced nice images while I owned it. |
|
Nick Wright, Photographer, Photo Editor
|
Independence | KS | USA | Posted: 4:36 PM on 10.24.06 |
->> Yes, I am mainly referring to the 10D, but I have used a 20D and observed the same "softness" in my images. Not as bad, but it was still there.
Am I doomed to forever remember in vain the tack sharpness of film straight out of the camera? |
|
Rodrigo Pena, Photographer
|
Palm Desert | CA | USA | Posted: 4:37 PM on 10.24.06 |
| ->> Hey Nick, I felt the same way about my 20D...the lack of clarity. Then I went into the camera menu and changed the sharpening selection. When I bumped up the sharpening, which to some may be taboo, my images came out looking just like my Mark II N images. I just thought I'd throw in my 2 cents. Best wishes, Rodrigo |
|
Peter Gaby, Photographer
|
Madison | WI | US | Posted: 11:58 PM on 10.24.06 |
->> well, this has been a great posting as usual.
everytime I post for advice, I get great information from people that love to share what they have learned from years and years of hard word and dedication.
Thanks again to everyone involved.
I am picking up a 300 2.8 IS over the weekend, and will hopefully have a 30D sometime next week.
I also see 2 1D's currently in the classifieds and will look into one of those as well if the extra finances come through from selling off some junk that i've had for years.
I'm pretty sure that next year will be a bigger year photographically for me, and hope that this will all work out.
Pete |
|
Return to --> Message Board Main Index
|